Employee Wellness Programs: Focus on Early Detection and Prevention:

Dr. Moore of Nationwide maintains that immunization is the most cost-effective treatment in medicine.  For example, vaccinating children against the influenza virus averages a savings (including health care  costs, parents’ missed work, etc.) of up to $35 per vaccine recipient. And experts predict that  estimate is low, because it doesn’t take into account the rapid spread of the flu.

The American Association of Family Physicians’ Web site, www.aafp.org, offers a recommended adult  immunization schedule created by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. This schedule,  tiered by age and chances of exposure, recommends diphtheria, tetanus, influenza, pneumonococcal,  hepatitis B, hepatitis C, measles, mumps and rubella, varicella and meningococcal vaccinations.

Ideas to incorporate prevention and early detection:

• Hold a wellness fair and invite organizations that provide testing services for such conditions as  blood pressure, blood iron, cholesterol, body mass index (BMI) and diabetes.
• Provide educational materials about well-baby care and vaccinations.
• Choose health care coverage plans that include wellness check-ups and vaccinations.
• Provide worksite mammograms for employees.
• Sponsor worksite flu vaccinations to coincide with flu season.